Program Description

Overview

India is a country rich in history, cultural diversity, natural resources, and varied environments. While India remains deeply traditional in some ways, such as religions and culture, it is also an emerging nation highly modernized in many parts of society, the economy, science and technology and in education. This tremendous contrast between the old world and new world makes India a fascinating case study.

This program offers students an opportunity to experience India from two unique perspectives. First, to experience Indian society, art and culture by touring ancient heritage buildings, monuments, museums, and historical sites. Second, students will take structured course on Energy for Sustainable Development by instructors at Bennett University in Delhi. The course is coupled with industry visits like thermal power plants, automotive pants as well as Non-Governmental Organizations like Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) in Jaipur working with disabled persons for rehabilitation.

All students will need to apply for a visa to India (not included in the program cost). Once the program has met minimum enrollment, USFSP Education Abroad will notify students how to proceed obtaining the visa.

Location

Delhi July 23-24Agra July 25-26Jaipur July 26-28Delhi July 28-August 5

Mandatory Class Meetings:
3 sessions at 3 hours each (2 pre-travel and 1 post-travel) located at USFSP. Location, dates, and times TBD.

In order to receive full credit for the program courses, students must attend any class meetings listed and complete an online pre-departure orientation in CANVAS. A link to access the orientation will be sent to students' USF email addresses prior to departure.

Program Cost

Costs

Undergraduate Program Cost: $3,250.00Graduate Program Cost: $3,950.00

Included:

3 direct USFSP credit hours (program course)

Accompaniment and on-site program direction by USFSP faculty

Double or triple occupancy hotel accommodations for duration of program

All program related, in-country transportation

Emergency medical and evacuation insurance

Group airport transfer to/from airport at beginning and end of program

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner for duration or program

Certificate of course completion from host institute Bennett University

All costs associated with course labs and industry visits

Included Entrances/Visits (Subject to Change):

Laxmi Narayan Temple

India Gate

Indian Parliament House

Rashtrapi Bhavan

Jama Masjid

Qutab Minar

Purana Quila

Humayan's Tomb

Jantar Mantar Observatory

Raj Ghat

Red Fort

Taj Mahal

Fatehpur Sikri

Jama Masjid

Buland Darwaza

Palace of Jodha Bai

City Palca

Pink City

Palace of Winds

Chokhi Dhani

Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS)

Not Included:

International airfare to/from India (estimate $1500)

Personal spending (to vary by individual)

Meals not listed above

Passport or visa expenses--non-US passport holders are responsible for checking the entry requirements of India for their country of citizenship and procuring/purchasing any required visas.

How to Pay

Undergraduate Payment Schedule:

Payment

Amount Due

Due Date

Confirmation

$500.00

5 days after committing to the program or application deadline, whichever is first

Payment #1

$687.50

April 23, 2018

payment #2

$1,546.88

May 23, 2018

Payment #3

$515.62

June 23, 2018

Total

$3,250.00

Graduate Payment Schedule:

Payment

Amount Due

Due Date

Confirmation

$500.00

5 days after committing to the program or application deadline, whichever is first

Payment #1

$862.50

April 23, 2018

payment #2

$1,940.63

May 23, 2018

Payment #3

$646.87

June 23, 2018

Total

$3,950.00

Payment Instructions:

Once you have been accepted to your program of choice, you will be asked to confirm your participation in the program by hitting the Commit button on your personal application page. Having confirmed your participation, the USFSP Education Abroad Office will place charges on your OASIS account. Students will be asked to make a confirmation payment toward the Study Abroad Program Cost (SAPC). Generally, this payment is $500, although certain programs may have alternate payment requirements as indicated on the specific program website.

Once you have committed to the program, you are financially liable for the Study Abroad Program Cost. Please carefully read your program-specific payment requirements as well as the Financial Terms and Conditions for your relevant program.

To make the payment:

ON-LINE (Note: Do not use the online payment option if you have other outstanding charges on your account, as any payment will automatically be credited toward your on campus charges)
Step 1: Go to USF Single-SignOn
Step 2: Log in using your USF Net ID.
Step 3: Click on OASIS on the top menu.
Step 4: On the Main Menu, go to "Student"
Step 5: On the Student Menu, go to "Tuition & Fees"
Step 6: Click on "Student Bill Payment" PLEASE NOTE: The USF Cashier's Office charges a 2.5% "convenience fee" for using a credit or bank card. If you use an online check you will not be charged the additional fee. They no longer accept VISA.

IN PERSON
Step 1: Email the USFSP Education Abroad Office at studyabroad@usfsp.edu for a payment form. The form must be completed and signed by an authorized member of the Education Abroad Office.
Step 2: Take payment form to the USFSP Cashier's Office (BAY 132). You may pay only pay with check, cash or money order in person. Checks are payable to USF.
Step 3: Please keep a record of your payment for your records.

Post-Commitment Cancellation Policy:

You are liable for $100 less any non-recoverable program costs if you cancel at least 91 days prior to departure.
You are liable for $300 less any non-recoverable program costs if you cancel 61 to 90 days prior to departure.
You are liable for up to 100% of the program fee if you cancel 60 days or less prior to departure.

Students must email studyabroad@usfsp.edu to notify USFSP Education Abroad of their cancellation.

Education Abroad will assess on a case-by-case basis the non-recoverable costs of the program for which the student is liable. Non-recoverable costs may exceed to-date funds collected by USFSP Education Abroad at time of student's withdraw from the program.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Funding

Many funding opportunities are available to USF students who are planning to study abroad. Please see our funding page for further details.

Note: The Education Abroad Scholarship application deadline for summer semester is February 16, 2018. However, applicants must be accepted and committed to the program as well as have paid the $500 Confirmation Payment in order to be considered for scholarships. This takes processing time. Therefore, we strongly advise applicants submit all parts of the scholarship application by February 1, 2018.

Students who are eligible for loans and grants to take classes at USF may be able to use their assistance to study abroad. USF students should contact the University of South Florida Office of Financial Aid (813) 974-4700 or visit USF Financial Aid for further information.

Health and Safety

Medical Insurance

USF provides program participants with sickness/accident and emergency medical evacuation insurance valid for the dates of the program. Those who will travel independently, either in advance of the program or after the program ends, must ensure that they have insurance coverage valid outside the U.S.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in India is “100.” An additional emergency number, “112,” can be accessed from mobile phones.

Because of the added stresses associated with operating in a foreign culture and language, even the safest foreign locations are likely to carry more risk to your safety and health. For this reason it is vital that you learn as much as you can about the places you will be traveling to; the more you are familiar with the host country's geography, culture and language, the safer you will be. All participants will be required to attend a general study abroad orientation as well as program-specific orientations. In addition to these sessions, you should consult the USF Safety Website as well as the websites listed above that provide useful information regarding your host country, and preparation for your international travel.

U.S. citizens should always practice good personal security. Be aware of your surroundings (including local customs and etiquette) and keep a low profile. Monitor local news reports, vary your routes and times in carrying out daily activities, and consider the level of security present when you visit public places, including religious sites, or choosing hotels, restaurants, and entertainment and recreation venues.

India continues to experience terrorist and insurgent activities which may affect U.S. citizens directly or indirectly. Anti-Western terrorist groups, some on the U.S. government's list of foreign terrorist organizations, are active in India, including Islamist extremist groups such as Harkat-ul- Jihad-i-Islami, Harakat ul-Mujahidin, Indian Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e Tayyiba. The U.S. government occasionally receives information regarding possible terrorist attacks that could take place in India, monitors such information to determine credibility, and advises U.S. citizens accordingly. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)to receive messages from the Embassy automatically.

Past attacks have targeted public places, including some frequented by Westerners, such as luxury and other hotels, trains, train stations, markets, cinemas, mosques, and restaurants in large urban areas. Attacks have taken place during the busy evening hours in markets and other crowded places, but could occur at any time. Recent incidents include a series of bomb blasts at an election rally in Patna, Bihar that killed six and injured 85 others in October 2013; a series of explosions at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya on July 7, 2013 that caused damage to the temple complex; an explosion on April 17, 2013 in Bangalore in which sixteen people were reported to have been injured; and twin bombings near a bus stop and commercial area in Hyderabad on February 21, 2013, that killed 17 and injured 119 bystanders. The Maoists (also known as “Naxalites”) are the most active insurgent group in India. The Naxalites typically attack Indian government officials, but have also derailed trains, targeted other government buildings such as police stations, and kidnapped foreigners. They operate mostly in the more remote areas of the country.

Beyond the threat from terrorism and insurgencies, demonstrations and general strikes, or “bandh,” often cause major inconvenience and unrest. These strikes can result in the stoppage of all transportation and tourist-related services, at times for 24 hours or more. U.S. citizens caught in such a strike may find they are unable to make flight and rail connections, as local transportation can be severely limited. Local media generally give an idea of the length and geographical location of the strike. Large religious gatherings that attract hundreds of thousands of people can result in dangerous and often life-threatening stampedes. Local demonstrations can begin spontaneously and escalate with little warning, disrupting transportation systems and city services and posing risks to travelers. In response to such events, Indian authorities occasionally impose curfews and/or restrict travel. You are urged to obey such curfews and travel restrictions and to avoid demonstrations and rallies as they have the potential for violence, especially immediately preceding and following political rallies, elections, and religious festivals (particularly when Hindu and Muslim festivals coincide). Tensions between castes and religious groups can also result in disruptions and violence. In some cases, demonstrators specifically block roads near popular tourist sites and disrupt train operations in order to gain the attention of Indian authorities; occasionally vehicles transporting tourists are attacked in these incidents. India generally goes on “High Alert” status prior to major holidays or events. You should monitor local television, print media, Mission India’s American Citizens Services Facebook page, and enroll with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for further information about the current situation in areas where you will travel.

The U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates General in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai will post information about routine demonstrations on the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates General websites, under the heading “Demonstration Notices.” Please monitor our websites regularly for information about protest activities in the country. Please note that the Embassy and Consulates General will issue emergency/security messages for other purposes, as necessary.

Religious violence occasionally occurs in India, especially when tensions between different religious communities are purposefully exacerbated by groups pushing religiously chauvinistic agendas. On August 27, 2013, clashes between the Hindu and Muslim communities of the Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh, claimed 43 lives and injured 93. There are active "anti-conversion" laws in some Indian states, and acts of conversion sometimes elicit violent reactions from Hindu extremists. Foreigners suspected of proselytizing Hindus have been attacked and killed in conservative, rural areas in India in the past.

Crime: Petty crime, especially theft of personal property (including U.S. passports), is common, particularly on trains or buses, at airports, and in major tourist areas. Pickpockets can be very adept and women have reported having their bags snatched, purse-straps cut, or the bottom of their purses slit without their knowledge. If you are traveling by train, lock your sleeping compartments and take your valuables with you when leaving your berth. If you travel by air, be careful with your bags in the arrival and departure areas outside airports. Violent crime, especially directed against foreigners, has traditionally been uncommon, although in recent years there has been a modest increase. Be cautious about displaying cash or expensive items to reduce the chance of being a target for robbery or other crime, and be aware of your surroundings when you use ATMs. ATM card scams have been used to clone credit card details to withdraw money. Gangs and criminal elements operate in major cities and have sometimes targeted unsuspecting business travelers and their family members for kidnapping or extortion.

Other Considerations

Travel Documents

All students will need to apply for a visa to visit India (not included in the program cost). Once the program has met minimum enrollment, USFSP Education Abroad will notify students how to proceed obtaining the visa. All passports should have a minimum six months of validity after the planned departure date from India.

For detailed information on travel documents you may need for your trip please visit our Passport and Visa page.

Getting there

Students should not book any flights or transportation until notified by Education Abroad later in spring once minimum enrollment for the program is met. Students are responsible for booking their own flights.

This program begins and ends in Delhi. Students will need to arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) by the designated time on July 23. The program will end in Delhi at a designated time on August 3. Education Abroad will notify students of the time and place to meet at the beginning of the program as well as time program ends.

Living Arrangements

July 23-24: Air conditioned double occupancy accommodations at Bennett University
July 25: Double or triple occupancy hotel accommodations in Agra
July 26-27: Double or triple occupancy hotel accommodations in Jaipur
July 28-August 5: Double occupancy accommodations at Bennett University